Edge, the web browser of information applied science behemothic Microsoft, at present blocks cryptojacking malware.

A Microsoft Edge spokesperson told Cointelegraph on Feb. 10 that the latest version of the web browser features a new PUA (Potentially Unwanted Apps) blocking feature that may cake some illicit cryptocurrency mining malware.

When asked most whether Microsoft plans to protect Edge users from illicit cryptocurrency miners, the spokesperson said that "this will be a particular area of focus." As cryptojacking is increasingly becoming a cybersecurity threat, efforts to tackle the issue are also scaling up.

A new cybersecurity feature

Cryptojacking is the do of illicitly mining cryptocurrencies on the hardware of unknowing hosts. Devices that fall victim to cryptojacking oft show lower battery life and go less responsive.

Microsoft's principal product manager Amitai Rottem pointed out the new characteristic in a tweet on January. thirty. The tech giant's programme manager for the web platform Eric Lawrence explained that the feature blocks downloads that contain PUAs.

Microsoft noted that the long-implemented Microsoft Border Tracking Protection feature also blocks known cryptocurrency mining software by default. A blog post published past Microsoft in early December 2019 reads:

"Information technology's worth noting that tracking prevention, when enabled, will always block storage access and resources loads for sites that fall into the Fingerprinting or Cryptomining categories on Disconnect's tracking protection lists."

Authorities worldwide are taking action against cryptojacking equally the practice becomes more than widespread. In early January, Interpol collaborated with cybersecurity firm Trend Micro to reduce cryptojacking affecting MikroTik routers across S-E Asia, while in August 2019, French police shut downward a massive botnet that has been used for Monero mining on the machines of unsuspecting users.